December 15, 2003
Did you know that, according to Alaska Law, unless you have a notarized legal document giving someone temporary power of attorney, if you leave your children in the care of another adult, they cannot act in your place when it comes to non- emergency medical and other issues? If you are raising a child that you do not have court documented legal custody of, by law you are not the legal custodian of the child. The parent is still the legal custodian and permission must be obtained from them.
Did you know that if you do not have this legal document in place that any medical treatment other than life-threatening situations could be delayed while proper officials try to make contact with you to give permission for treatment?
The law states that unless the person who has custody of the child gives written or verbal consent, except in life-threatening situations, the temporary caregiver cannot legally authorize routine medical care for your child. If you are away and your child needs routine medical treatment, medical personnel will have to find you first for over-the-phone verbal or faxed written consent for treatment. If your child is involved in a life-threatening situation, medical personnel will act appropriately to care for your child while someone tries to make contact with you.
Non-emergent refers to anything other than life-threatening; i.e. routine check-ups or immunizations, getting copies of medical records for you or another provider, etc. If your child is in a life-threatening situation, they will be cared for immediately while someone tries to make contact with you. So remember to always leave contact numbers with those caring for your children.
YKHC has adopted the form, Special Power of Attorney for Temporary Custody and Care of a Minor (Special POA) created by the State of Alaska to help both you--our patients and patient families--and us as your providers. Having this form filled out, notarized, and left with the people caring for your children will ensure that in your absence your child will be able to receive routine, non-emergent care without having to locate you for approval.
As the name states, this is a temporary custody form. You have the option of putting end dates on the form or revoking it at any time. If you revoke the Special POA or have an end date, remember that you must fill out a new one when you leave your children in that person's care again.
The person(s) named in this document to care for your children in your absence should keep it available at all times. If they have to take the child/children for medical treatment this form must be presented. A copy will be put in the child's medical file.
The form is detailed and looks more complicated than it really is. We have created a brochure that contains step-by-step instructions in filling it out. The forms and instructions will be made available to you through the Registration department in Bethel, all Sub-Regional Clinics and Village Clinics, the Emergency Room in Bethel, and at Customer Relations.
If you need help filling out the document please give us a call. You can call the Privacy Officer at 543-6995, General Counsel at 543-6032, Associate General Counsel at 6931, or the Compliance Administrator at 543-6361.
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